However, times have changed quite a bit since then at Happy Valley, and that's partially why Hackenberg and Breneman mean so much. But everyone who follows Penn State knows the reasons behind that, so let's stick to the gridiron.

Plain and simple, these two recruits have unending ceilings at the moment.

A big, dependable target in high school, the 6'4" Breneman makes quarterbacks' jobs so much easier. He'll fit right in at Penn State in Bill O'Brien's tight end-heavy offensive sets.

If I'm O'Brien, I simply cannot wait to bring these guys in, coach them up in my offensive scheme and see what they can do in a game.

Still, I think the smart thing to do would keep them on the practice field and wait until 2014 to see what they can do in a real game.

It's easier to make a case for Breneman to redshirt than it is for Hackenberg, but both have their own reasons.

In regards to Hackenberg, the Nittany Lions may need depth at the quarterback position. With starter Matthew McGloin and backups Shane McGregor and Garrett Venuto leaving due to graduation, Penn State will be left with just Steven Bench under center.

By the time fall practice comes around, Breneman should be able to go based on that window, but why rush him back?

Not only do you want to avoid re-aggravating the injury, but Penn State isn’t in need of depth at tight end.

As long as no one transfers, the Lions will return pass-catching machines Kyle Carter, Jesse James and Matt Lehman.

Considering the trio combined for 1,025 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns this season, the Lions are pretty stacked at tight end, making it almost useless for Breneman to burn a year of eligibility so early.

And, of course, in both players’ cases, a year of redshirting means one thing is then achievable: a Big Ten title, a bowl appearance and more.

It’s obviously way too early to speculate on how the two would potentially do in a fifth year at the program, but it makes sense to ride it out next year for that reason, and the other reasons listed above.

Craving the moment Hackenberg and Breneman put on the blue and white jerseys, it makes sense that Penn State fans would want them to play right away.

But after stepping back and looking over it carefully, redshirting in 2013 is just common logic.